Hong Kong customs raids office in Opatra probe
SCMP · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong customs has raided a corporate secretarial office in Sheung Wan during an investigation into a local beauty chain linked to UK brand Opatra London. Officers seized documents from a unit in Wing On Centre on Connaught Road Central after six complaints alleging aggressive sales tactics. Investigators said the address was listed as the chain’s principal place of business, but they found only secretarial services there. Customs said it would continue tracing those responsible and could make arrests if necessary
Key Points
- Customs officers searched a unit in Wing On Centre, Connaught Road Central, on Tuesday and removed documents for the ongoing investigation
- The raided address in Sheung Wan was listed as the beauty chain’s registered principal place of business
- The office displayed signage for corporate services firm Ascentium, with no visible Opatra London branding or operational staff present
- Senior investigator Leung Ka-ho said customs had received six complaints, mostly from middle-aged or elderly victims, involving HK$1,800 to HK$100,000
- Customs suspects unfair trade practices involving skincare products and beauty devices, while the chain’s four outlets in Sha Tin, Yuen Long and Causeway Bay have suspended business
Why It Matters
The case raises concern over whether consumers can easily identify who is actually operating a business when a registered address appears to be only a secretarial office. It also puts renewed attention on aggressive sales allegations in Hong Kong’s beauty sector, especially where older customers are among the complainants and large sums are involved